Presentation of Duke of Edinburgh Awards to 47 young people

27/8/97

Forty-seven young Western Australians were recognised for their great spirit, character and dour commitment at a Duke of Edinburgh Awards ceremony last night.

Presenting the Silver Awards at the Freemasons Hall last night, Mr Board said the 47 recipients had shown the community what young people were really about in WA.

"It is people such as you, with the fortitude to persevere, who one day will become the world's leaders," Mr Board told the recipients.

"This award is very special because it is a summation of your character, a recognition of the commitment made by you to elements of the program and an acknowledgement of your achievements.

"You are terrific ambassadors of youth in WA and I wish you every success in any future challenges you may set yourself."

The Minister also paid special tribute to parents of the recipients and organisers of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme, saying the awards would not be possible without their support, encouragement and commitment.

Mr Board said the vast majority of young people in Australia were doing great, constructive things with their lives but the messages of these positive aspects were simply not reaching the wider population.

"Youth across Australia has consistently identified the lack of positive images and promotion of their achievements as a major issue of concern," he said.

"These awards are a classic example where young people have gone out and achieved something very positive, both for themselves and for the wider community.

"It is vital that the community, Government and the media acknowledge this issue and move to promote the positive achievements and images of our young people."

Mr Board said WA had taken a leading role in developing a national campaign to promote the positive achievements and images of youth and to encourage an understanding of the importance of education and training opportunities for youth.

This followed a motion passed by all Youth Ministers at the Youth Forum of the Ministerial Council of Education, Employment Training and Youth Affairs in June.

The Duke of Edinburgh Awards were introduced in the United Kingdom in 1956 as a means to encourage and motivate young people over the age of 14 years to become involved in a balanced program of voluntary self-development activities.

The awards are now active in more than 60 countries.

Participants in the awards must be aged between 14 and 25 and complete four components comprising of skills, service, expeditions and physical recreation.

To complete the Silver Award, the 47 recipients completed a total of more than 3,000 hours of hobbies and journeys, and more than 1,500 hours of community service and physical effort. It took all recipients several years to complete.

Past prominent Duke of Edinburgh Awards winners have included Dr Stephen Hopper, the current director of Kings Park and Botanical Gardens and Mr Bruce Wynn, the Director of the Royal Agricultural Society.

WA actor Paul Mercurio, well known for his role in the film Strictly Ballroom, was a past Bronze Award recipient and Trevor Goddard, best known for his work with disabled sports, was a Gold Award recipient.

Metropolitan award recipients came from Dalkeith, Hillarys, Mirrabooka, Mt Lawley, Cottesloe, Karrinyup, Peppermint Grove, Rockingham, Dianella, Nedlands, Lesmurdie, Beechboro, Swanbourne, Glendalough, Booragoon, Sorrento, Duncraig, Noranda, Carine, Mosman Park, Marmion, Bibra Lake, Edgewater, Floreat and Kallaroo.

Country recipients came from Lancelin, Goomalling, Jurien Bay, Manjimup, Narrogin, Wongan Hills and Port Hedland,

For further information on the individual Duke of Edinburgh Awards recipients, contact Anna Dean on (08) 9221 4252.

Media contact: Peter Harris 9222 9211